Statement on the signing of HB0048

After Nashvillians repeatedly made their concerns clear about how cutting representation on Metro Council in half would hurt them, the Tennessee General Assembly rammed the bill through nonetheless.

Everyone has known this bill will hurt our communities of color, throw our city’s legislative process into chaos, and work to isolate our city government from its constituents, building the very thing the sponsors of the bill claim they want to eliminate: more bureaucracy. However, those in the General Assembly who claim to be for local control and small government have continued to brush those concerns aside in an attempt to target Nashville.

With numerous lawsuits against this legislation likely on the way, this bill further highlights the short-sighted and politicking identity our state legislature has taken on in recent years. The bills targeting our stadiums, airport, community oversight board, and schools will hopefully be litigated if they pass as well.

Despite this setback, we will continue to tell the state to get their hands off our city.

March 9th, 2023